Advent in the Vicarage is not complete without Christmas music. The Vicar has banned me from listening to my favourite Christmas cds apart from during this season after rather overwhelming overuse of one of them in the early years of our marriage. So about this time of year I get quite excited about digging through the cd collection to rediscover Christmas Now is Drawing Near by Sneak’s Noyse, a collection of English folk carols that I love. It’s pretty obscure – I first heard it cos my dad had it (and have no idea why he bought it) – and there are no YouTube videos. So imagine a more folky version of this song, and you’ll get the idea:
Another Advent listening favourite is Andrew Peterson’s wonderful album Behold the Lamb (which includes our favourite Matthew’s Begats). Here are a couple of other songs from the album for you to sample:
Of course, we have Carols from Kings type cds too and a mad Celtic instrumental one. This year the Queen and the Joker are joining me in the church Christmas carol service choir, so we are singing in Thursday evening practices too. Christmas music – just the thing to lift our spirits on dull December days (and a stressy November day too) and point us to the joy and wonder of the incarnation.
The Vicar's Wife 
I was hoping for some Advent hymns, not Christmas ones!
Sorry Ros! Good idea for another post – I love Advent hymns.
Advent has the best hymns. Such a shame that we so often miss them out to get to Christmas quicker these days.
I rather like the Renaissance song … but can only find it on YouTube. Any suggestions for a CD in similar style?
I clicked through on the link to the Sneak’s Noyse cd and there were a few suggestions under ‘customers who bought this item also bought…’ including this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-Music-Medieval-Renaissance-Europe/dp/B000002ZK4/ref=pd_sim_m_h__11. Might be the sort of thing you’re after.
Thank you! That will certainly go on my wish list!